Pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of alzheimer&#39;s disease

ABSTRACT

The present invention relate to pharmaceutical formulations that include a CPHPC component and a delivery agent compound.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations containing a delivery agent compound and an active agent for treating Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional means for delivering drugs are often severely limited by biological, chemical, and physical barriers. Typically, these barriers are imposed by the environment through which delivery occurs, the environment of the target for delivery, and/or the target itself. Examples of physical barriers include the skin, lipid bi-layers and various organ membranes that are relatively impermeable to certain drugs but must be traversed before reaching a target, such as the circulatory system. Chemical barriers include, but are not limited to, pH variations in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and degrading enzymes.

These barriers are of particular significance in the design of oral and transdermal delivery systems. Oral delivery of many drugs would be the route of choice for administration if not for biological, chemical, and physical barriers that prevent, restrict or reduce the passage of drugs. Transdermal delivery is also a desired method to deliver drugs that can pass through the skin. Among the numerous drugs that oral or transdermal delivery is desired include those which bind to amyloid and SAP, such as CPHPC and their salts or other drugs that treat Alzheimer's such as rivastigmine tartrate.

Amyloidosis is not a single disease but a term for diseases that share a common feature: the extracellular deposition of pathologic insoluble fibrillar proteins in organs and tissues. Amyloid fibrils in primary amyloidosis are fragments of immunoglobulin light chains. There are different proteins making up the amyloid fibrils in reactive (secondary) amyloidosis and familial amyloidosis, and therefore specific therapies designed to target the source of fibril-precursor production.

The final pathway in the development of amyloidosis is the production of amyloid fibrils in the extracellular matrix. The process by which precursor proteins produce fibrils appears to be multifactorial and to differ among the various types of amyloid. In AL amyloidosis, the demonstration that substitutions of particular amino acids at specific positions in the light-chain variable region occur at significantly higher frequencies than in nonamyloid immunoglobulins has led to the suggestion that these replacements destabilize light chains, increasing the likelihood of fibrillogenesis.

In ATTR amyloidosis production of inherently unstable variant monomers of transthyrethin, produced by the substitution of amino acids, may allow the protein to precipitate when provoked by physical or chemical stimuli, resulting in the deposition of amyloid in organs in both AL and ATTR amyloidosis. These patients do not have clinically apparent disease until midlife, despite the lifelong presence of abnormal transthyretin, and have rapid progression and deterioration.

In addition, systemic amyloidosis is associated with hemodialysis and localized forms of amyloidosis are associated with Alzheimer's disease, Type II Diabetes, Medullary Carcinoma of the Thyroid and atrial amyloid deposition.

The treatment of amyloidosis is directed both toward the affected organ and to the specific type of the disease. Nephrotic disease is treated with diuretic therapy and dialysis. Congestive heart failure requires increasing doses of diuretics as cardiac disease progresses or renal function worsens. A subgroup of patients may benefit from implantation of a cardiac pacemaker. Neuropathy and gastrointestinal involvement are treated symptomatically. Gastromotility agents may be of some benefit. In familial Mediterranean fever, a genetic disorder associated with a high incidence of AA amyloidosis, therapy with colchicine specifically treats the underlying disease and prevents amyloidosis.

AL amyloidosis may be treated with chemotherapy; however, the response rate and survival rates are low with treatment with melphalan and prednisone. High dose therapy may provide substantial improvements in amyloid-related organ disease (hepatic, gastrointestinal, and neurological). The majority of patients with renal or cardiac involvement will also respond, with improved plasma cells and clinical symptoms.

In the small proportion of patients with AL amyloidosis that is limited to the heart, death is sudden or due to rapidly progressive heart failure. Cardiac transplantation has been performed in a few such patients, but progression in other organs or recurrence in the transplanted heart has occurred.

A limited number of patients with AL amyloidosis who receive chemotherapy with the iodinated anthracycline 4′-iodo-4′-deoxydoxorubicin had clinical benefit, and in vitro studies showed binding to amyloid fibrils and reduction of new deposits, but no reduction in circulating light chains could be documented

Liver transplantation and in a few patients with severe symptomatic cardiac involvement, combined liver and heart transplantation from a single donor has been performed with success.

Serum amyloid P compound, SAP, is found on the surface of all types of amyloid deposits, preventing the livers's ability to break down amyloid and its subsequent removal from the body. Drugs, such as CPHPC are being developed which may treat amyloidosis and diseases associated with deposition of amyloid.

CPHPC is currently an investigational drug used to sequester SAP and therefore reduce circulating amyloids and which may be successful for the treatment, or perhaps even cure of Alzheimer's disease. A goal of treatment is to reduce the amyloid level, increase excretion, but investigational studies indicate that CPHPC has poor oral bioavailability and would require administration via the parenteral route. Accordingly, there is a need for improved oral delivery systems for CPHPC which provide sufficient bioavailability to treat diseases associated with amyloid accumulation, such as Alzheimer's, Amyloidosis, and Diabetes. There is also a need for improved bioavailability of other active agents that treat Alzheimer's disease, such as rivastigmine tartrate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides oral and transdermal pharmaceutical compositions comprising a delivery agent compound and an active agent for treating Alzheimer's disease or a condition associated therewith. In a preferred embodiment, the active agent is a CPHPC component, and the delivery agent is SNAC or pegylated SNAC.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

The term “about” or “approximately” means within an acceptable error range for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which will depend in part on how the value is measured or determined, i.e., the limitations of the measurement system. For example, “about” can mean within 1 or more than 1 standard deviations, per practice in the art. Alternatively, “about” with respect to the formulations can mean a range of up to 10%, preferably up to 5%.

The terms “alkyl”, “alkenyl”, “alkoxy”, “alkylene”, “alkenylene”, “alkyl(arylene)”, and “aryl(alkylene)” include, but are not limited to, linear and branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkylene, alkenylene, alkyl(arylene), and aryl(alkylene) groups, respectively.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to compounds or compositions that are physiologically tolerable and do not typically produce an allergic or similar untoward reaction, such as gastric upset, dizziness and the like, when administered to a mammal.

An “effective amount of delivery agent” compound or “a therapeutically effective amount of a delivery agent compound refers to an amount of the delivery agent that enhances the absorption of a desired amount of a CPHPC component from, for example, the gastrointestinal tract or through the skin.

An “effective amount of a CPHPC component” or “a therapeutically effective amount of a CPHPC component” is an amount of the CPHPC component which is effective to treat or prevent a condition in a subject to whom it is administered over some period of time, e.g., provides a therapeutic effect during a desired dosing interval as included in the described pharmaceutical composition. The CPHPC component may be augmented with a second medication (such as galantamine, rivastigmine, donepezil, tacrine, memantine) to treat any of the disorders described in this application, such as Alzheimer's disease or amyloidosis.

As used herein, the term “treat” includes one or more of the following:

(a) arresting, delaying the onset (i.e., the period prior to clinical manifestation of a disorder) and/or reducing the risk of developing or worsening a disorder;

(b) relieving or alleviating at least one symptom of a disorder in a mammal, such as conditions associated with Alzheimer's disease (e.g., dementia); or

(c) relieving or alleviating the intensity and/or duration of a manifestation of a disorder experienced by a mammal including, but not limited to, those which are in response to a given stimulus (e.g., pressure, tissue injury or cold temperature). The term “treat” also includes prophylactically preventing, curing, healing, alleviating, relieving, altering, remedying, ameliorating, improving, or affecting a condition (e.g., a disease), the symptoms of the condition, or the predisposition toward the condition.

The term “sustained release” as used herein refers to the release of an active ingredient over an extended period of time leading to relatively lower peak plasma concentrations and a prolonged T_(max) as compared to “immediate release” formulations of the same active ingredient.

The term “Bioavailability” or “F” means the percentage of drug reaching systemic circulation. Generally, 100% bioavailability occurs with intravenous infusions since drug is delivered directly into the animal. Because of metabolism, first pass effects, food effect, and the like, oral bioavailability is generally lower. The delivery agents described herein have the ability to increase oral and transdermal bioavailability as compared to that particular active agent without the delivery agent.

The term “polymorph” refers to crystallographically distinct forms of a substance.

The term “hydrate” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, (i) a substance containing water combined in the molecular form and (ii) a crystalline substance containing one or more molecules of water of crystallization or a crystalline material containing free water.

The term “SNAC” as used herein refers to N-(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl]-amino) caprylic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, including its monosodium and disodium salt. The term “SNAC free acid” or “the free acid of SNAC” refers to N-(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl]-amino) caprylic acid. Unless otherwise noted, the term “SNAC” refers to all forms of SNAC, including all amorphous and polymorphic forms of SNAC, such as SNAC trihydrate and those described in U.S. Ser. Nos. 60/619,418 and 60/569,476, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The term “SNAC trihydrate” as used herein refers to a crystalline form of SNAC in which three molecules of water are associated with each molecule of SNAC. SNAC can be prepared by the procedures described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,386 and International Publication Nos. WO00/46182 and WO00/59863, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The term “SNAD” as used herein refers to N-(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl]-amino) decanoic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, including its monosodium salt. Unless otherwise noted, the term “SNAD” refers to all forms of SNAD, including all amorphous and polymorphic forms of SNAD.

The term “4-CNAB” as used herein refers to 4-[(4-chloro-2-hydroxy-benzoyl)amino]butanoic acid (also known as 4-[(2-hydroxy-4-chlorobenzoyl)amino]butanoate) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, including its sodium salt (e.g., monosodium salt). Unless otherwise noted, the term “4-CNAB” refers to all forms of 4-CNAB, including all amorphous and polymorphic forms of 4-CNAB. The term “sodium 4-CNAB” and “mono-sodium 4-CNAB” refer to monosodium 4-[(2-hydroxy-4-chlorobenzoyl)amino]butanoate, including anhydrous, monohydrate, and isopropanol solvates thereof and amorphous and polymorphic forms thereof (including those described in International Publication No. WO 03/057650 which is hereby incorporated by reference), unless otherwise indicated.

The term “solvate” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, a molecular or ionic complex of molecules or ions of a solvent with molecules or ions of a delivery agent or CPHPC salt.

The term “delivery agent” or “delivery agent compound” refers to any of the delivery agent compounds disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, with the proviso that all the delivery agents disclosed in U.S. Published Application No. 20050147662 and salts thereof, including the compounds shown below, are excluded as delivery agents compounds of the present invention:

CPHPC Component

CPHPC refers to R-1-(6-(R-2-carboxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-6-oxo-hexanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid, a drug that has been shown to sequester and promote the removal of a normal plasma protein called serum amyloid P component (SAP), thereby reducing circulating amyloids. The structure of the free acid of CPHC is:

As used herein the term CPHPC includes the free acid, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, including the sodium, disodium, halide, carbonate, acetate, triacetate, tartrate, oxalate, oxide, and hydroxide salts. The term CPHC also includes all anhydrous and hydrate forms of CPHPC.

As used herein, the term CPHPC component refers to CPHPC, as defined above, as well as analogs, active metabolites, prodrugs, racemates, and enantiomers of CPHPC.

Rivastigmine Component

Embodiments of the present invention also provide pharmaceutical compositions that include a rivastigmine component (e.g. rivastigmine tartrate) and a delivery agent compound (e.g. SNAC). The complete chemical name for rivastigmine tartrate is (S)—N-Ethyl-N-methyl-3-[1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-phenyl carbamate hydrogen-(2R,3R)-tartrate and its structure is shown below:

Rivastigmine is a reversible inhibitor of the enzyme cholinesterase. Cholinesterase breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into choline and acetic acid. Inhibiting cholinesterase increases the time that acetylcholine is present and able to facilitate cognitive function. Thus, rivastigmine tartrate is thought to mediate senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's chorea, tardive dyskenesias, hyperkinesia, mania, acute confusion disorders, Down's syndrome, and Freidrich's ataxia.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a pharmaceutical composition comprising 0.1-25 mg of the rivastigmine component and an effective amount of the delivery agent compound. These compositions can be administered orally, parenterally, or transdermally, with oral and transdermal routes of administration preferred.

Rivastigmine tartrate is disclosed further in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,948,807 and 5,602,176, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Other active agents that treat conditions associated may be included with delivery agents of the present invention, including active agents disclosed in U.S. Published Application Nos. 2006/0035946, 2006/0019930, 2006/0121038, and 2006/0034858. The active agents disclosed in European Published Application No. 0915088 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,045,499 may also be included with delivery agent compounds in compositions of the present invention. Each of these applications and patents are hereby incorporated by reference.

Delivery Agent Compounds

Suitable delivery agents include those having the following structure and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:

2-HO—Ar—C(O)—NR⁸—R⁷—COOH  Formula (1)

wherein

Ar is phenyl or naphthyl, optionally substituted with OH, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl. C₁-C₄ alkenyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy or C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy;

R⁷ is C₄-C₂₀ alkyl, C₄-C₂₀ alkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl (C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)phenyl, (C₁-C₁₀alkenyl)phenyl, (C₁-C₁₀alkyl) naphthyl, (C₁-C₁₀ alkenyl) naphthyl, phenyl(C₁-C₁₀alkyl), phenyl(C₁-C₁₀alkenyl), naphthyl(C₁-C₁₀alkyl), or naphihyl(C₁-C₁₀alkenyl);

R⁸ is hydrogen, C₁ to C₄ alkyl, C₁ to C₄ alkenyl, C₁ to C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ or haloalkoxy;

R⁷ is optionally substituted with C₁ to C₄ alkyl, C₂ to C₄ alkenyl, C₁ to C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, —OH, —SH, and —CO₂R⁹ or any combination thereof:

R⁹ is hydrogen, C₁ to C₄ alkyl or C₂ to C₄ alkenyl; and

R⁷ is optionally interrupted by oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or any combination thereof; with the proviso that the compounds are not substituted with an amino group in the position alpha to the acid group or salts thereof.

According to one embodiment, Ar is substituted with a halogen.

Preferably, R⁷ is C₄-C₂₀ alkyl or phenyl(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl). More preferably R⁷ is C₅-C₁₀ alkyl or phenyl(C₂ alkyl). Most preferably, R⁷ is C₇-C₉ alkyl or phenyl(C₂ alkyl).

Other suitable delivery agents include those having the following structure and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:

2-OH—Ar—C(O)—NH—R¹-R²  Formula (2)

wherein

Ar is phenyl or naphthyl;

Ar is optionally substituted with C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₂-C₄ alkenyl. C₂-C₄ alkynyl, aryl, aryloxy, a heterocyclic ring, C₅-C₇ carbocylic ring, halogen, —OH, —SH, CO₂R⁶, —NR⁷R⁸, or —N⁺R⁷R⁸R⁹Y⁻;

(a) R¹ is C₁-C₁₆ alkylene, C₂-C₁₆ alkenylene, C₂-C₁₆alkynylene, C₆-C₁₆ arylene, (C₁-C₁₆alkyl)arylene, or aryl (C₁-C₁₆alkylene);

-   -   R² is —NR³R⁴ or —N⁺R³R⁴R⁵Y⁻:     -   R³ and R⁴ are independently hydrogen; oxygen; hydroxy;         substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₆alkyl; substituted or         unsubstituted C₁-C₁₆ alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted         C₂-C₁₆ alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted         or unsubstituted alkylcarbonyl; substituted or unsubstituted         arylcarbonyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkanesulfinyl;         substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfinyl: substituted or         unsubstituted alkanesulfonyl; substituted or unsubstituted         arylsulfonyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl;         substituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl;

R⁵ is independently hydrogen; substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₆ alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₆ alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₆ alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted alkylcarbonyl; substituted or unsubstituted arylcarbonyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkanesulfinyl; substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfinyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkanesulfonyl; substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl;

(b) R¹, R², and R⁵ are as defined above; and

-   -   R³ and R⁴ are combined to form a 5, 6 or 7-membered heterocyclic         ring; or 5, 6 or 7-membered heterocyclic ring substituted with a         C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, oxo group or         carbocyclic ring; or

(c) R² and R⁵ are as defined above; and

-   -   R¹ and R³ are combined to form a 5, 6 or 7-membered heterocyclic         ring; or 5, 6 or 7-membered heterocyclic ring substituted with a         C₁-C₆alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, or oxo group or carbocyclic         ring;     -   R⁴ is hydrogen; oxygen; hydroxy; substituted or unsubstituted         C₁-C₁₆ alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₆ alkenyl;         substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₆ alkynyl; substituted or         unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted alkylcarbonyl;         substituted or unsubstituted arylcarbonyl; substituted or         unsubstituted alkanesulfinyl; substituted or unsubstituted         arylsulfinyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkanesulfonyl;         substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl; substituted or         unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl: substituted or unsubstituted         aryloxycarbonyl;

R⁶ is hydrogen; C₁-C₄ alkyl; C₁-C₄ alkyl substituted halogen or —OH; C₂-C₄ alkenyl; or C₂-C₄ alkenyl substituted halogen or —OH;

R⁷, R⁸, and R⁹ are independently hydrogen; oxygen; C₁-C₄ alkyl; C₁-C₄ alkyl substituted with halogen or —OH; C₂-C₄ alkenyl; or C₂-C₄ alkenyl substituted with halogen or —OH; and

Y is halogen, hydroxide, sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, alkoxy, perchlorate, tetrafluoroborate, or carboxylate. A non-limiting example of a suitable carboxylate is acetate.

The term “substituted” as used herein with respect to the compounds of formula (2) includes, but is not limited to, hydroxyl and halogen.

In one embodiment, Ar is unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted with one or more of C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, or halogen. More preferably, Ar is a phenyl substituted with methoxy, Cl, F or Br, and even more preferably, Ar is a phenyl substituted with Cl.

In another embodiment, R¹ is C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkyl, or C₆ alkyl.

In another embodiment. R³ and R⁴ are independently H or C₁-C₂ alkyl; or further R³ and R⁴ are not both H; or further R³ and R⁴ are independently methyl or ethyl; and more preferably R³ and R⁴ are both methyl.

Other suitable delivery agents include those having the following structure and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:

wherein

R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently hydrogen. —OH, —NR⁶R⁷, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, or C₁-C₄ alkoxy;

R⁵ is a substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₆ alkylene, substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₆ alkenylene, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₂ alkyl(arylene), or substituted or unsubstituted aryl(C₁-C₁₂ alkylene); and

R⁶ and R⁷ are independently hydrogen, oxygen, or C₁-C₄ alkyl.

The term “substituted” as used with respect to formula (3) includes, but is not limited to, substitution with any one or any combination of the following substituents: halogens, hydroxide, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy.

Other suitable delivery agents include those having the following structure and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:

wherein

(a) R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently H, —OH, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkenyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, —C(O)R⁸, —NO₂, —N⁹R¹⁰, or —N⁺R⁹R¹⁰R¹¹(Y⁻);

-   -   R⁸ is hydrogen, —OH, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkyl substituted with         halogen or —OH, C₂-C₄ alkenyl unsubstituted or substituted with         halogen or —OH, or —NR¹⁴R¹⁵;     -   R⁹, R¹⁰, and R¹¹ are independently hydrogen, oxygen. C₁-C₄ alkyl         unsubstituted or substituted with halogen or —OH, C₂-C₄ alkenyl         unsubstituted or substituted with halogen or —OH;     -   Y is halide, hydroxide, sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, alkoxy,         perchlorate, tetrafluoroborate, carboxylate, mesylate, fumerate,         malonate, succinate, tartrate, acetate, gluconate, maleate;     -   R⁵ is H, —OH, —NO₂, halogen, CF₃, —NR¹⁴R¹⁵, —N⁺R¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶(Y⁻),         amide, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, carbamate,         carbonate, urea, or —C(O)R²²; R⁵ is optionally substituted with         halogen, —OH, —SH, or —COOH; R⁵ is optionally interrupted by O,         N, S, or —C(O)—;     -   R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R¹⁶ are independently H or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl;     -   R²² is H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —OH, —NR¹⁴R¹⁵;     -   R⁶ is substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₆ alkylene, C₂-C₁₆         alkenylene, C₂-C₁₆ alkynylene, C₅-C₁₆ arylene, (C₁-C₁₆ alkyl)         arylene or aryl(C₁-C₁₆alkylene); R⁶ is optionally substituted         with C₁-C₇ alkyl or C₁-C₇ cycloalkyl:     -   R⁷ is —NR¹⁸R¹⁹ or —N⁺R¹⁸R¹⁹R²⁰Y⁻;     -   R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are independently hydrogen, oxygen, hydroxy,         substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₆ alkyl, substituted or         unsubstituted C₂-C₁₆ alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted         C₂-C₁₆alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or         unsubstituted alkylcarbonyl (e.g. substituted or unsubstituted         (C₁₋₆ alkyl)carbonyl), substituted or unsubstituted         arylcarbonyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkanesulfinyl (e.g.         substituted or unsubstituted (C₁₋₆alkane)sulfinyl), substituted         or unsubstituted arylsulfinyl, substituted or unsubstituted         alkanesulfonyl (e.g. substituted or unsubstituted (C₁₋₆         alkane)sulfonyl), substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl,         substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. substituted or         unsubstituted (C₁₋₆ alkoxy)carbonyl), or substituted or         unsubstituted aryloxyccarbonyl, or substituted or unsubstituted         C₅-C₇ heterocyclic ring (i.e., 5, 6, or 7-membered heterocyclic         ring), wherein the substitutions may be halogen or —OH; and     -   R²⁰ is independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted         C₁-C₁₆ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₆alkenyl,         substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₆alkynyl, substituted or         unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylcarbonyl         (e.g. substituted or unsubstituted (C₁₋₆ alkyl)carbonyl),         substituted or unsubstituted arylcarbonyl, substituted or         unsubstituted alkanesulfinyl (e.g. substituted or unsubstituted         (C₁₋₆alkane)sulfinyl), substituted or unsubstituted         arylsulfinyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkanesulfonyl (e.g.         substituted or unsubstituted (C₁₋₆alkane)sulfonyl), substituted         or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted         alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. substituted or unsubstituted         (C₁₋₆alkoxy)carbonyl), or substituted or unsubstituted         aryloxycarbonyl; or

(b) R¹-R¹⁶ and R²⁰ are as defined above; and

-   -   R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ combine to form a 5, 6, or 7-membered heterocyclic         ring optionally interrupted with an oxo group and unsubstituted         or substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl. C₁-C₆ alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, or         carbocyclic ring.

According to one embodiment, R⁷ is morpholino, morpholinium salt, or diethanolamino.

According to another embodiment, R⁶ is a C₁-C₁₆ alkylene and R⁷ is morpholino or a morpholinium salt. Preferably, R⁶ is C₄-C₁₂ alkylene, such as an unsubstituted C₄-C₁₂alkylene. More preferably, R⁶ is C₄-C₁₀, C₄-C₈, or C₆-C₈ alkylene, such as an unsubstituted C₄-C₁₀, C₄-C₈, or C₆-C₈ alkylene. According to one embodiment, one of R¹-R⁵ is hydroxy, for example, R¹ can be hydroxy.

According to yet another embodiment, when R⁶ is a C₁-C₁₀ alkylene, at most one of R² and R⁴ is halogen. According to another embodiment, R⁶ is a C₈-C₁₆, C₉-C₁₆, C₁₀-C₁₆, or C₁₁-C₁₆ alkylene. For instance, R⁶ may be a C₈, C₉, C₁₀, C₁₁, or C₁₂ alkylene (e.g., a normal C₈-C₁₂ alkylene). According to yet another embodiment, at most one of R¹ and R⁵ is alkyl.

According to yet another embodiment, R¹ is hydroxy and R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently hydrogen or halogen.

According to yet another embodiment, R² is hydroxy and R¹, R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently hydrogen or halogen.

According to yet another embodiment, R³ is hydroxy and R¹, R², R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen or halogen.

In a preferred embodiment, halogen is F, Cl or Br, more preferably F or Cl, and even more preferably Cl.

According to yet another embodiment, R⁶ is C₁-C₁₆ alkylene, (C₁-C₁₆ alkyl) arylene or aryl(C₁-C₁₆alkylene). More preferably R⁶ is C₁-C₁₂ alkylene, more preferably C₃-C₁₀alkylene, more preferably C₄-C₁₀ or C₄-C₈ alkylene, and more preferably C₆-C₈ alkylene. More preferably, R⁶ is unsubstituted.

According to yet another embodiment, R⁷ is —NR¹⁸R¹⁹ and R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl) substituted with —OH. In another embodiment, R⁷ is —NR¹⁸R¹⁹ and R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ combine to form a six membered heterocyclic ring substituted with an oxo group.

According to one preferred embodiment, R¹ is hydrogen; R², R³, and R⁴ are independently hydrogen, halogen, —OH, or —OCH₃; R⁵ is hydrogen, —OH, or —C(O)CH₃; R⁶ is C₁-C₁₂ alkylene, and R⁷ is NR¹⁸R¹⁹ wherein R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ combine to form a 5, 6, or 7 membered heterocyclic ring.

According to another preferred embodiment, one of R³, R⁴, and R⁵ is hydroxy and the others are independently halogen or hydrogen; R¹ and R² are independently halogen or hydrogen; R⁶ is C₁-C₁₆ alkylene; and R⁷ is NR¹⁸R¹⁹ wherein R¹⁹ and R¹⁹ combine to form a 5, 6, or 7 membered heterocyclic ring. R⁶ is preferably C₆-C₁₆, C₆-C₁₀, C₉-C₁₆, C₁₀-C₁₆ or C₄-C₈ alkylene, such as unsubstituted C₆-C₁₆, C₆-C₁₀, C₈-C₁₀, C₁₀-C₁₆, or C₄-C₈ alkylene. Preferably, R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ form a morpholino or imidazole.

In another preferred embodiment, R¹ is hydrogen; R², R³ and R⁴ are independently hydrogen, halogen, —OH, or —OCH₃; R⁵ is hydrogen, —OH, or —C(O)CH₃; R⁶ is C₁-C₁₂ alkylene; and R⁷ is N⁺R¹⁸R¹⁹R²⁰ (Y⁻) wherein R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are hydroxy substituted C₁-C₁₆; alkyl and R²⁰ is hydrogen.

In another preferred embodiment, R¹ is hydrogen; R², R³, and R⁴ are independently hydrogen, halogen, —OH, or —OCH₃; R⁵ is hydrogen, —OH, or —C(O)CH₃; R⁶ is C₁-C₁₂ alkylene; and R⁷ is N⁺R¹⁸R¹⁹R²⁰(Y⁻) wherein R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are hydroxy substituted C₁-C₁₆ alkyl and R²⁰ is hydrogen.

In another preferred embodiment, R¹, R², R⁴, R⁵ are independently halogen or hydrogen; R³ is —OH, or —OCH₃; and R⁷ is N⁺R¹⁸R¹⁹R²⁰ (Y⁻) wherein R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are hydroxy substituted C₁-C₁₆alkyl and R²⁰ is hydrogen.

According to one preferred embodiment, R¹ is hydrogen; R², R³, and R⁴ are independently hydrogen, halogen, —OH, or —OCH₃; R⁵ is hydrogen, —OH, or —C(O)CH₃; R⁶ is C₁-C₆ alkylene or aryl substituted C₁-C₁₂ alkyl; and R⁷ is —NR¹⁸R¹⁹ wherein R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ combine to form a 5, 6, or 7 membered heterocyclic ring or N⁺R¹⁸R¹⁹R²⁰ (Y⁻) wherein R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ ware hydroxy substituted C₁-C₁₆alkyl and R²⁰ is hydrogen.

In another preferred embodiment, the citrate salt of the delivery agent is used.

Other suitable delivery agents include those having the following structure and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:

wherein

R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently H, —OH, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkenyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, —C(O)R⁸, —NO₂, —NR⁹R¹⁰, or —N⁺R⁹R¹⁰R¹¹(R¹²)⁻;

R⁵ is H, —OH, —NO₂, halogen, —CF₃, —NR¹⁴R¹⁵, —N⁺R¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶ (R¹³)⁻, amide, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, carbamate, carbonate, urea, or —C(O)R¹⁸;

R⁵ is optionally substituted with halogen, —OH, —SH, or —COOH;

R⁵ is optionally interrupted by O, N, S, or —C(O)—;

R⁶ is a C₁-C₁₂ alkylene, C₂-C₁₂ alkenylene, or arylene;

R⁶ is optionally substituted with a C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkenyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, —OH, —SH, halogen, —NH₂, or —CO₂R⁸;

R⁶ is optionally interrupted by O or N;

R⁷ is a bond or arylene:

R⁷ is optionally substituted with —OH, halogen, —C(O)CH₃, —NR¹⁰R¹¹, or —NR¹⁰R¹¹R¹² (R¹³)⁻;

R⁸ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl, or —NH₂;

R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² independently H or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl;

R¹³ is a halide, hydroxide, sulfate, tetrafluoroborate, or phosphate; and

R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are independently H, C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl substituted with —COOH, C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl substituted with —COOH, —C(O)R¹⁷;

R¹⁷ is —OH, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, or C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl; and

R¹⁸ is H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —OH, —NR¹⁴R¹⁵, or N⁺R¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶(R¹³).

According one embodiment.

(1) when R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are H, and R⁷ is a bond then R⁶ is not a C₁-C₆, C₉ or C₁₀ alkyl;

(2) when R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are H, R⁵ is —OH, R⁷ is a bond then R⁶ is not a C₁-C₃ alkyl;

(3) when at least one of R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ is not H, R⁵ is —OH, R⁷ is a bond, then R⁶ is not a C₁-C₄ alkyl;

(4) when R¹, R², and R³ are H, R⁴ is —OCH₃, R⁵ is —C(O)CH₃, and R⁶ is a bond then R⁷ is not a C₃ alkyl; and

(5) when R¹, R², R⁴, and R⁵ are H, R³ is —OH, and R⁷ is a bond then R⁶ is not a methyl.

According one preferred embodiment, R¹ is hydrogen; R², R³, and R⁴ are independently hydrogen, halogen, —OH, or —OCHj; R⁵ is hydrogen, —OH, or —C(O)CH₃; R⁶ is C₁-C₁₂ alkylene, and R⁷ is a bond or para-phenylene. R⁷ is more preferably a C₇-C₉ alkyl.

According to another preferred embodiment, at least one of R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ is hydrogen, —C(O)CH₃, —OH, Cl, —OCH₃, F, or —NO₂. In one more preferred embodiment, R² is —C(O)CH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, or —Cl. In another more preferred embodiment, R³ is Cl, —OCH₃, F, or —OH. In yet another more preferred embodiment, R⁴ is —OCH₃ or —NO₂.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, R⁵ is —C(O)CH₃, —OH, H, —CH═CHCH₃, —NH₂, —NO₂, —NHC(O)CH₃, —CH═CHCO₂H, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, —C(O)NH₂, —C(O)NHCH₃, —COOH, —C(O)NHCH₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —OCH₃, —C(CH₃)₂OH, —C(OH)(CH₃)₂, or —CH(OH)CH₃.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, R⁶ is a linear C₁-C₁₂ alkylene. More preferably, R⁶ is —(CH₂)_(n)—, where n is an integer from 1 to 10.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, R⁴ and R⁵ are not alkyl or halogen.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, R⁷ is para-phenylene or a bond.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, R⁶ is —CH₂— and R⁷ is phenylene and, more preferably para-phenylene. More preferably, at least one of R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ is hydrogen. More preferably, R⁵ is —C(O)CH₃, —OH or —C(CH₃)₂OH.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, R⁷ is a bond, R⁵ is —OH, and R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are hydrogen, R⁶ is preferably C₄-C₁₂ alkylene and, more preferably, C₄-C₉ alkylene.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, R⁷ is a bond, R⁵ is —OH, and at least one of R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ is not hydrogen. R⁶ is preferably C₁-C₁₂ alkylene, more preferably C₅-C₁₂ alkylene, and most preferably C₅-C₉ alkylene.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, R⁷ is a bond, R⁷ is —C(O)CH₃, and R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are hydrogen. R⁶ is preferably C₁-C₁₂ alkylene, more preferably C₃-C₁₂ alkylene, and most preferably C₃-C₇ alkylene.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, R⁷ is a bond and R¹. R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are hydrogen. Preferably, R⁶ is C₇-C₈ alkylene.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, R⁷ is a bond, R⁵ is hydrogen, and at least one R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are not hydrogen. R⁶ is preferably C₁-C₁₂ alkylene, more preferably C₄-C₉ alkylene, and most preferably C₇-C₃ alkylene.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, R² is —OH. More preferably, R⁷ is a bond and R⁵ is hydrogen. Preferably, R⁶ is C₁-C₁₂ alkylene, more preferably C₃-C₉ alkylene, and most preferably C₇ alkylene.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, R³ is —OH. More preferably, R⁷ is a bond and R⁵ is hydrogen. R⁶ is preferably C₁-C₁₂ alkylene, more preferably C₃-C₉ alkylene, and most preferably C₇ alkylene.

Other suitable delivery agents include those having the following structure and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:

wherein

R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently H, —OH, halogen, —OCH₃, —NR¹⁰R¹¹ or —N⁺R¹⁰R¹¹R¹² (R¹³)⁻;

R⁵ is H, —OH, —NO₂, —N⁺R¹⁴R¹⁵, —N⁺R¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶ (R¹³)⁻, amide, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, carbamate, carbonate, urea, or —C(O)R¹⁸;

R⁵ is optionally substituted with —OH, —SH, or —COOH;

R⁵ is optionally interrupted by O, N, S, or —C(O)—;

R⁶ is a C₁-C₁₂ alkylene, C₁-C₁₂ alkenylene, or arylene;

R⁶ is optionally substituted with a C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, —OH, —SH, halogen, —NH₂, or —CO₂R⁹;

R⁶ is optionally interrupted by O or N;

R⁷ is a bond or arylene;

R⁷ is optionally substituted with —OH, halogen, —C(O)CH₃, —NR¹⁰R¹¹ or —N⁺R¹⁰R¹¹R¹² (R¹³)⁻;

R⁸ is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl;

R⁹ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, or C₂-C₄ alkenyl:

R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² are independently H or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl;

R¹³ is a halide, hydroxide, sulfate, tetrafluoroborate, or phosphate;

R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R¹⁶ are independently H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, O, or —C(O)R¹⁷;

R¹⁷ is —OH, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, or C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl; and

R¹⁸ is —OH, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —NR¹⁴R¹⁵, —N⁺R¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶ (R¹³)⁻.

According to one embodiment, when R⁵ is OCH₃ then R⁶ is C₁-C₈ or C₁₀-C₁₂ alkyl.

According to a preferred embodiment, R⁵ is not —OCH₃. More preferably, R⁵ is not alkoxy.

According to another preferred embodiment. R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are hydrogen, R⁵ is —COOH, —C(O)NH₂, —C(O)CH₃, or —NO₂, R⁶ is —(CH₂)—, and R⁷ is a bond.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are hydrogen, R⁵ is —C(O)NH₂, R⁶ is —CH₂—, and R⁷ is a para-phenylene.

According to one embodiment, the delivery agents of formula (6) have the formula:

wherein

R¹⁹ is —NO₂ or —C(O)R²³:

R²⁰ is a C₁-C₁₂ alkylene or C₁-C₁₂ alkenylene;

R²¹ is a bond or arylene;

R²² is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl; and

R²³ is —OH, C₁-C₆ alkyl, or —NH₂.

Preferred delivery agents include, but are not limited to, SNAC, SNAD, 8-(N-2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzoyl)aminocaprylic acid, 8-(N-2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoyl)-amino-caprylic acid, 4-CNAB, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

According to one preferred embodiment, the delivery agent is SNAC or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In one embodiment, the delivery agent is a sodium sail of SNAC. In another embodiment, the delivery agent is the monosodium salt of SNAC and can be, for example, any of the polymorphic forms of monosodium SNAC disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/569,476, filed May 6, 2004. and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/619,418, filed Oct. 15, 2004, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In yet another embodiment, the delivery agent is the disodium salt of SNAC.

According to another preferred embodiment, the delivery agent is SNAD or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In one embodiment, the delivery agent is a sodium salt of SNAD. In another embodiment, the delivery agent is the disodium salt of SNAD.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the delivery agent is 4-CNAB or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In one embodiment, the delivery agent is a sodium salt of 4-CNAB. The sodium 4-CNAB can be any of the amorphous and polymorphic forms described in International Publication No. WO 03/057650, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Other suitable delivery agents of the present invention are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,699,467, 6,663,898, 6,693,208, 6,693,073, 6,693,898, 6,663,887, 6,646,162, 6,642,411, 6,627,228, 6,623,731, 6,610,329, 6,558,706, 6,525,020, 6,461,643, 6,461,545, 6,440,929, 6,428,780, 6,413,550, 6,399,798, 6,395,774, 6,391,303, 6,384,278, 6,375,983, 6,358,504, 6,346,242, 6,344,213, 6,331,318, 6,313,088, 6,245,359, 6,242,495, 6,221,367, 6,180,140, 6,100,298, 6,100,285, 6,099,856, 6,090,958, 6,084,112, 6,071,510, 6,060,513, 6,051,561, 6,051,258, 6,001,347, 5,990,166, 5,989,539, 5,976,569, 5,972,387, 5,965,121, 5,962,710, 5,958,451, 5,955,503, 5,939,381, 5,935,601, 5,879,681, 5,876,710, 5,866,536, 5,863,944, 5,840,340, 5,824,345, 5,820,881, 5,811,127, 5,804,688, 5,792,451, 5,776,888, 5,773,647, 5,766,633, 5,750,147, 5,714,167, 5,709,861, 5,693,338, 5,667,806, 5,650,386, 5,643,957, 5,629,020, 5,601,846, 5,578,323, 5,541,155, 5,540,939, 5,451,410, 5,447,728, 5,443,841, and 5,401,516. Delivery agents of the present invention are also described in U.S. Published Application Nos. 20040110839, 20040106825, 20040068013, 20040062773, 20040022856, 20030235612, 20030232085, 20030225300, 20030198658, 20030133953, 20030078302, 20030072740, 20030045579, 20030012817, 20030008900, 20020155993, 20020127202, 20020120009, 20020119910, 20020102286, 20020065255, 20020052422, 20020040061, 20020028250, 20020013497, 20020001591, 20010039258, and 20010003001. Delivery agents of the present invention are also described in International Publication Nos. WO 2004/4104018, WO 2004080401, WO 2004062587, WO 2003/057650, WO 2003/057170, WO 2003/045331, WO 2003/045306, WO 2003/026582, WO 2002/100338, WO 2002/070438, WO 2002/069937, WO 02/20466, WO 02/19969, WO 02/16309, WO 02/15959, WO 02/02509, WO 01/92206, WO 01/70219, WO 01/51454, WO 01/44199, WO 01/34114, WO 01/32596, WO 01/32130, WO 00/07979, WO 00/06534, WO 00/06184, WO 00/59863, WO 00/59480, WO 00/50386, WO 00/48589, WO 00/47188, WO 00/46182, WO 00/40203, WO 99/16427, WO 98/50341, WO 98/49135, WO 98/34632, WO 98/25589, WO 98/21951, WO 97/47288, WO 97/31938, WO 97/10197, WO 96/40076, WO 96/40070, WO 96/39835, WO 96/33699, WO 96/30036, WO 96/21464, WO 96/12475, and WO 9612474. Each of the above listed U.S. patents and U.S. and International published applications are herein incorporated by reference.

The delivery agent compounds depicted as carboxylic acids may be in the form of the carboxylic acid or salts thereof. Suitable salts include, but are not limited to organic and inorganic salts, for example alkali-metal salts, such as sodium (e.g., monosodium and disodium salts), potassium and lithium; alkaline-earth metal salts, such as magnesium, calcium or barium; ammonium salts; basic amino acids, such as lysine or arginine; and organic amines, such as dimethylamine or pyridine. Preferably, the salts are sodium salts. The salts may be mono- or multi-valent salts, such as monosodium salts and di-sodium salts. The salts may also be solvates, including ethanol solvates, and hydrates.

The delivery agent compounds depicted as amines may be in the form of the free amine or salts thereof. Suitable salts include, but are not limited to, organic and inorganic salts, for example sodium salts, sulfate salts, hydrochloride salts, phosphate salts, fluoride salts, carbonate salts, tartrate salts, oxalates, oxides, formates, acetate or citrate.

Salts of the delivery agent compounds of the present invention may be prepared by methods known in the art. For example, sodium salts may be prepared by dissolving the delivery agent compound in ethanol and adding aqueous sodium hydroxide.

Where the delivery agent has an amine moiety and a carboxylic acid moiety, poly amino acids and peptides comprising one or more of these compounds may be used. An amino acid is any carboxylic acid having at least one free amine group and includes naturally occurring and synthetic amino acids. Poly amino acids are either peptides (which are two or more amino acids joined by a peptide bond) or are two or more amino acids linked by a bond formed by other groups which can be linked by, e.g., an ester or an anhydride linkage. Peptides can vary in length from dipeptides with two amino acids to polypeptides with several hundred amino acids. One or more of the amino acids or peptide units may be acylated or sulfonated.

The delivery agent may contain a polymer conjugated to it such as described in International Publication No. WO 03/045306, which is hereby incorporated by reference. For example, the delivery agent and polymer may be conjugated by a linkage group selected from the group consisting of —NHC(O)NH—, —C(O)NH—, —NHC(O), —OOC—, —COO—, —NHC(O)—, —OC(O)NH—; —CH₂NH—NHCH₂—, —CH₂NHC(O)O—, —OC(O)NHCH₂—, —CH₂NHCOCH₂O—, —OCH₂C(O)NHCH₂—, —NHC(O)CH₂O—, —OCH₂C(O)NH—, —NH—, —O—, and carbon-carbon bond, with the proviso that the polymeric delivery agent is not a polypeptide or polyamino acid. The polymer may be any polymer including, but not limited to, alternating copolymers, block copolymers and random copolymers, which are safe for use in mammals.

Preferred polymers include, but are not limited to, polyethylene; polyacrylates; polymethacrylates; poly (oxyethylene); poly (propylene); polypropylene glycol; polyethylene glycol (PEG) (i.e. pegylated deliver agents); and derivatives thereof and combinations thereof. A particularly preferred delivery agent for transdermal applications include pegylated delivery agent compounds. The molecular weight of the polymer, e.g. the pegylated delivery agent compound typically ranges from about 100 to about 200,000 daltons. The molecular weight of the polymer preferably ranges from about 200 to about 10,000 daltons. In one embodiment, the molecular weight of the polymer ranges from about 200 to about 1,000 daltons and more preferably ranges from about 400 to about 800 daltons.

The compounds described herein may be derived from amino acids and can be readily prepared from amino acids by methods within the skill of those in the art, such as those described in International Publication Nos. WO96/30036, WO97/36480, WO00/06534. WO00/46812, WO00/50386, WO00/59863, WO 01/32596, and WO 00/07979 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,643,957, 5,650,386, and 5,866,536, all of which are incorporated by reference. For example, the compounds may be prepared by reacting the single amino acid with the appropriate acylating or amine-modifying agent, which reacts with a free amino moiety present in the amino acid to form amides. Protecting groups may be used to avoid unwanted side reactions as would be known to those skilled in the art. With regard to protecting groups, reference is made to T. W. Greene, Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, Wiley, New York (1981), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The delivery agent compound may be purified by recrystallization or by fractionation on one or more solid chromatographic supports, alone or linked in tandem. Suitable recrystallization solvent systems include, but are not limited to, acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, heptane, water, tetrahydrofuran, and combinations thereof. Fractionation may be performed on a suitable chromatographic support such as alumina, using methanol/n-propanol mixtures as the mobile phase; reverse phase chromatography using trifluoroacetic aciaVacetonitrile mixtures as the mobile phase; and ion exchange chromatography using water or an appropriate buffer as the mobile phase. When anion exchange chromatography is performed, preferably a 0-500 mM sodium chloride gradient is employed.

In one embodiment, the following delivery agents are excluded as delivery agents of the present invention:

(a) 8-(2-hydroxyphenoxy)octyldiethanolamine (“HPOD”), and salts thereof, including the mesylate salt of HPOD and all other delivery ageni compounds disclosed in International Published Application No. WO 05/117854:

(b) all the delivery agent compounds disclosed in International Published Application No. WO 05/117854:

(c) all the delivery agent compounds disclosed in International Published Application No. WO 05/112633:

(d) all the delivery agent compounds disclosed in U.S. Published Application No. 2006/0078622; and

(e) all the delivery agent compounds disclosed in U.S. Published Application No. 2006/0078623.

In one embodiment, the delivery agents compounds have a median particle size greater than about 900 or 1000 μm.

In one embodiment, delivery agent compounds are selected from the following group, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:

Transdermal Delivery Compositions Containing a CPHPC Component

Transdermal delivery bypasses first pass metabolism through the gastrointestinal tract, and provides a relatively fiat plasma concentration thereby extending the half life of drugs with shorter durations of action. Transdermal delivery also provides easy application and discontinuance by removing the patch, and can improve compliance by providing multi-day or weekly administration.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a transdermal pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutic amount of delivery agent compound (e.g. SNAC or Pegylated SNAC) and a therapeutic amount of a CPHPC component (e.g. the free acid of CPHPC).

Embodiments of the present invention provide a transdermal patch that includes a CPHPC component (e.g. the free acid of CPHPC), and a delivery agent compound (e.g. SNAC or Pegylated SNAC). Transdermal drug delivery systems are adhesive patches which are affixed to the skin. Drug delivery may be controlled by diffusion through the patch material and the drug containing matrix.

Transdermal patches may be composed of a backing, a drug reservoir (often with a rate controlling matrix and permeation enhancers), a rate controlling microporous membrane, and an adhesive. Transdermal drug delivery systems offer patients many advantages, including a more precise and constant drug concentration, lower steady state concentrations, reduced first pass effect, localized drug delivery, non invasive, less memory demanding, lack of movement restriction, easy drug administration, and decreased chance of infection. Transdermal patches are particularly preferred in the treatment of alzheimer's, since patient compliance with oral formulations is often low.

Preparation of transdermal patches is known in the art, and is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,814,168; 4,946,853; 4,994,267; 4,994,278; 5,004,610; 5,016,652; 5,122,383; 5,164,190; 5,212,199; 5,223,261; 5,227,169; 5,232,438; 5,252,334; 5,300,291; 5,342,623; 5,344,656; 5,364,630; 5,393,529; 5,445,606; 5,462,745; 5,474,783; 5,474,783; 5,508,038; 5,633,008; 5,656,286; 5,656,286; 5,676, 968; 5,697,896; 5,770,219; 5,834,011; 5,843,014; 5,876,746; 5,891,868; 5,958,446; 5,958,446; 5,972,377; 6,024,976; 6,024,976; 6,165,497; 6,169,920; 6,171,294; 6,181,963; 6,195,582; 6,216,033; 6,317,626; 6,425,892; 6,582,737; 6,842,640; 6,881,208; 6,975,902; 7,018,370 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,027,859. Particular reference is drawn to the following 3M patents: U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,760; U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,807; U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,996; U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,655 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,429. Each of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The amount of the CPHPC component included in the pharmaceutical formulation is an amount effective to accomplish the purpose of the target indication. The amount of CPHPC in the pharmaceutical formulation typically is a pharmacologically, biologically, therapeutically, or chemically effective amount. However, the amount can be less than that amount when the pharmaceutical formulation is used in a dosage unit form of the present invention because the dosage unit form may contain a plurality of delivery agent/CPHPC pharmaceutical formulations or may contain a divided pharmacologically, biologically, therapeutically, or chemically effective amount. The total effective amount can then be administered in cumulative units containing, in total, an effective amount of the CPHPC component. Also, because the pharmaceutical formulations of the invention may deliver CPHPC more efficiently than formulations containing the CPHPC alone, lower amounts of CPHPC than those used in prior dosage unit forms or delivery systems can be administered to the subject, while still achieving the same blood levels and therapeutic effects.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a transdermal formulation that includes an effective amount of a delivery agent compound (e.g. SNAC) and a therapeutically effective amount of a CPHPC component which delivers a sustained amount of CPHPC, i.e. the transdermal formulation is a sustained release formulation.

In certain embodiments, the transdermal pharmaceutical formulation delivers from about 0.1 mg/day to about 50 mg/day of CPHC component, or about 0.3 mg/day, or about 0.84 mg/day, or about 5.6 mg/day, or about 6.3 mg/day, or about 9.6 mg/day or about 16.8 mg/day of CPHPC component.

In certain embodiments, the transdermal pharmaceutical formulation comprises a delivery agent compound and a CPHPC component and delivers a dose of CPHPC component from about 1 mcg/cm²-day to about 500 mcg/cm²-day or from about 8 mcg/cm² day or about 21 mcg/cm²-day to about 5.139 mcg/cm²-day, or about 6.158 mcg/cm²-day, or about 241 mcg/cm²-day or about 420 mcg/cm²-day.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the transdermal pharmaceutical formulation is replaced on the patient daily. In yet another embodiment the transdermal pharmaceutical formulation is replaced every other day, or weekly, or monthly.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a kit comprising a transdermal pharmaceutical formulation which includes a delivery agent compound (e.g. SNAC or pegylated SNAC) and a therapeutically effective amount of CPHC component. In certain embodiments, the kit may further include one or more tablets comprising a delivery agent compound and a therapeutically effective amount of a CPHPC component.

The transdermal delivery system may comprise a therapeutically effective amount of a delivery agent compound (e.g. SNAC or pegylated SNAC), a therapeutically effective amount of a CPHPC component (e.g. free acid of CPHPC) and a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutically acceptable amount of solvent chosen from the group consisting of, a butler around pH 8 (e.g. a phosphate pH 8.1 buffer containing phosphoric acid and/or phosphate salts), alcohols (e.g., ethanol), fatty acid/fatty acid ester blends, isopropylpalmitate, isopropylmystristate, mineral oil, silicone fluids, organic amine blends and plasticizers (e.g., triethyl citrate).

In one embodiment, the transdermal pharmaceutical composition comprises an effective amount of pegylated-SNAC, a therapeutically effective amount of the free acid of CPHPC and a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of a saturated pH 8.1 buffer. In yet another embodiment, the transdermal pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of the monosodium salt of SNAC, a therapeutically effective amount of the free acid of CPHPC and a pH 8.1 phosphate buffer.

Oral Delivery Compositions Containing a CPHPC Component

Another aspect of the present invention provides an oral pharmaceutical composition that includes a delivery agent compound (e.g. the monosodium or disodium salt of SNAC) and a CPHPC component (e.g. the free acid of CPHPC). The total amount of CPHPC to be used can be determined by methods known to those skilled in the art.

According to one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation includes a delivery agent compound and from about 0.01, 0.1, or 0.5 to about 1, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg of the CPHPC component (e.g. the free acid of CPHPC). According to yet another embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation includes a sufficient amount of a CPHPC component to provide a serum concentration, upon ingestion by a human, from about 0.01 ng/mL to about 6000 ng/ml, or from about 0.01 ng/mL to about 5500 mg/ml, or from 1000 ng/mL to about 3000 ng/mL

In yet another embodiment, the oral pharmaceutical composition includes a CPHPC component and a delivery agent compound such that the oral formulation is capable of providing a serum concentration of CPHPC component from about 0.1 mg/kg to about 100 mg/mL, or more preferably about 0.25 mg/kg when administered to a human.

Yet another embodiment comprises an oral pharmaceutical composition that includes a therapeutically effective amount of a delivery agent compound (e.g. SNAC), a therapeutically effective amount of a CPHPC component to provide an oral bioavailability from about 3% or 10% to about 35% or 50%, more preferably about 30%.

The oral formulations of the present invention may be in the form of an immediate release formulation or a sustained release formulation. In one embodiment the oral formulation of the present invention provides a therapeutic peak level followed by a therapeutic sustained plasma level. For example, the oral formulation, may contain a delivery agent compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of a CPHPC component, the formulation having an immediate release portion and a sustained release portion.

In yet another embodiment comprises an oral formulation which provides from about 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 10 mg/kg/day, more preferably about 0.25 mg/kg/day of CPHPC component.

The pharmaceutical formulations can include any one or combination of excipients, diluents, disintegrants, lubricants, fillers, plastieizers, colorants, flavorants, taste-masking agents, sugars, sweeteners, salts, and dosing vehicles, including, but not limited to, water, 1,2-propane diol, ethanol, olive oil, or any combination thereof.

The delivery agents facilitate the delivery of CPHPC, particularly in oral form, but are also be useful in intranasal, sublingual, intraduodenal, subcutaneous, buccal, imracolonic, rectal, vaginal, mucosal, pulmonary, transdermal, intradermal, parenteral, intravenous, intramuscular and ocular systems.

Methods of Treatment for the CPHC Component

The pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention are useful for administering CPHPC to mammals including, but not limited to, horses, rodents, cows, pigs, dogs, cats, primates, and particularly humans. The pharmaceutical formulation of the present invention can be administered to treat and/or prevent any disorder for which CPHPC is known to be capable of treating and/or preventing. Typically, an effective amount of the pharmaceutical formulation is administered to treat and/or prevent the desired disorder. Such disorders which can be treated by pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, amyloidosis of all types (including atrial amyloid deposition, primary amyloidosis, secondary amyloidosis, AL amyloidosis and ATTR amyloidosis), diabetes, dementia, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid and Alzheimer's Disease.

According to another embodiment the pharmaceutical formulation includes other active agents which treat, cure, mitigate and/or prevent amyloidosis, diabetes type I, diabetes type II, Alzheimer's Disease, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, or atrial amyloid deposition.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of sequestering SAP comprising an effective amount of the pharmaceutical formulation of the present invention to a subject in need thereof.

The following examples illustrates the invention without limitation. All parts are given by weight unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLES

The following examples illustrates the invention without limitation. All parts are given by weight unless otherwise indicated.

Example 1

CPHC was added to the solvents listed in Table 1 below to the point of saturation:

CPHPC CPHPC Donor Concentration Applied solution (mg/g) Solvent Dose (mg/cm2) #1 239.2 ethanolamine 57.68 #2 26.5 0.2 M pH 8.1 phosphate 10.65 buffer (phosphoric acid and phosphate salts) #3 16.6 0.2 M pH 8.1 phosphate 5.34 buffer with pegylated SNAC (MW ~601) #4 30.0 0.2 M pH 8.1 phosphate 9.65 buffer with monosodium SNAC #5 0.94 pegylated SNAC (MW ~601) 0.15 #6 24.2 Ethanolamine & free acid of 3.89 SNAC (194 mg/g)

These solutions were applied to human cadaver skin with an applied dose of CPHC ranging from 0.15 mg/cm² to 57.68 mg/cm² as shown above in Table 1. The test method utilized a permeation cell. The cells are made with a definable surface area for permeation. The cells contain two chambers and a clamping mechanism to hold the cadaver skin positioned between the two cell chambers. The receptor was chosen to mimic the physiological conditions found beneath the membrane in-vivo (0.1M phosphate buffer at pH 7.4). The cells were kept at a constant 33° C. during the experiments. Calculation of the permeation rate (J) requires knowledge of the concentration (C) of the drug in the receptor chamber, the permeation area (A), sampling interval (t) and the receptor volume (V). The drug concentration in the receptor was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The flow-through diffusion cell system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

CHPHC flux, cumulative CHPC delivery through the cadaver skin, calculated daily delivery of CPHC (based on a dosage size of about 25 cm², and lag time are shown below in Table 2:

TABLE 2 CPHPC Skin Permeation Results CPHPC flux (J_(ss)) CPHPC calculated (μg/cm²-hr) (μg/cm²-day) (mg/day) t_(tag) donor solution avg ± std. dev. CV % cumulative 40 cm² (hr) 1 239.2 mg/g in ethanolamine 10.4 ± 8.0  77 241 9.6 <1 n = 5 2 sat. pH 8.1 buffer 1.3 ± 0.4 31 21 0.84 <1 (26.5 mg/g) n = 4 3 Sat water/D12 29/71 6.5 ± 4.8 74 158 6.3 <1 (16.6 mg/g) n = 8 4 sat. pH 8.1 buffer w/SNAC 5.0 ± 1.3 26 139 5.6 <1 (30.0 mg/g) n = 5 5 sat. D12 (0.94 mg/g) n = 3 0.5 ± 0.4 80 8 0.3 <1 6 ethanolamine + NAC n = 6 6.7 ± 3.6 53 420 16.8 <1

CPHPC flax over about 48 hours is also shown in FIG. 3. The cumulative amount CPHPC through the cadaver skin is also shown in FIG. 4.

Donor solution #1 with ethanolamine as a solvent contains significantly larger amounts of CPHPC since CPHPC is much more soluble in ethanolamine. Ethanolamine is a skin irritant, and is therefore not a likely candidate for a commercial embodiment. It is included to represent a theoretical maximum of CPHPC delivery.

Example 2 Oral Delivery of CPHPC in Rats

One group of rats were dosed by oral gavage a solution containing 200 mg/kg SNAC and 10 mg/kg CPHPC (Group 1). The dosing volume was 1 mL/kg. Two groups of rats also received, respectively, control arms of 10 mg/kg CPHPC alone via oral gavage (Group 2) and 0.2 mg/kg of CPHPC via IV (Group 3).

Serum CPHPC concentrations mg/ml) were measured over 40 minutes. The results are shown below in Table 3:

TABLE 3 Group # 0 min. 5 min. 10 min. 20 min. 40 min. 1 (200 mg/kg 0 ± 0   2962 ± 1210.24 5484.4 ± 525.81 2796.8 ± 400.03 1444.4 ± 218.56 SNAC and 10 mg/kg CPHPC via PO) 2 (10 mg/kg 0 ± 0 1056.8 ± 107.12 1420.8 ± 171.34 666.8 ± 97.10 174.8 ± 14.96 CPHPC via PO) 3 (0.2 mg/kg 0 ± 0 223.4 ± 19.49 228.8 ± 44.80 169.8 ± 26.18  65.4 ± 25.74 of CPHPC via IV)

Results are also shown in FIG. 5.

The above mentioned patents, applications, test methods, and publications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Many variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art in light of the above detailed description. All such obvious variations are within the fully intended scope of the appended claims. 

1: A pharmaceutical formulation comprising (a) a CPHPC component, and (b) at least one delivery agent. 2: The composition of claim 1 wherein the delivery agent is SNAC. 3: The composition of claim 1 wherein the delivery agent is the monosodium salt of SNAC. 4: The composition of claim 1 wherein the delivery agent is pegylaled-SNAC, optionally having a molecular weight of about 400 to 800 daltons. 5: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a delivery agent. CPHPC, and an excipient. 6: The pharmaceutical formulation of any of the preceding claims, wherein the pharmaceutical formulation provides sustained release of CPHPC 7: The pharmaceutical formulation of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pharmaceutical formulation provides immediate release of CPHPC. 8: A transdermal pharmaceutical composition comprising a delivery agent. CPHPC, and a solvent. 9: The pharmaceutical composition of claim 35 wherein the solvent is ethanolamine, ethanolamine and SNAC free acid, Saturated pH 8.1 buffer, Saturated deionized water and polymerized SNAC, Saturated pH 8.1 buffer with monosodium SNAC, or pegylated SNAC. 10: The pharmaceutical formulation of any of the preceding claims, wherein the delivery agent is any of the delivery agents described herein. 11: The pharmaceutical formulation of any of the preceding claims, wherein the delivery agent is N-(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl]-amino) caprylic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 12: The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 11, wherein the delivery agent is the sodium salt of N-(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl]-amino)caprylic acid. 13: The pharmaceutical formulation of any of claims 1-12, wherein the delivery agent is N-(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl]-amino)decanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 14: The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 13, wherein the delivery agent is the sodium salt of N-(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl]-amino)decanoic acid. 15: The pharmaceutical formulation of any of the preceding claims in which the delivery agent is polymeric-SNAC 16: The pharmaceutical formulation of any of the preceding claims, wherein the pharmaceutical formulation provides sustained release of CPHPC. 17: A method of treating or preventing amyloid accumulation in a mammal in need thereof comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of the pharmaceutical formulation of any of claims 1-16. 18: The method of claim 17, wherein the amyloid accumulation is Alzheimer's Disease. 19: A method of treating or preventing a disorder associated with excessive deposition of amyloid in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of the pharmaceutical formulation of any of claims 1-16. 20: A method of inhibiting amyloid deposition in a mammal with Alzheimer's or Amyloidosis, or other disorder associated with abnormally increased amyloid production comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of the pharmaceutical formulation of any of claims 1-16. 21: A method of treating amyloid deposition in a mammal with Alzheimer's or Amyloidosis, or other disorder associated with abnormally increased amyloid production in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of the pharmaceutical formulation of any of claims 1-16. 22: A method of amyloid deposition in a mammal with Alzheimer's or Amyloidosis, or other disorder associated with abnormally increased amyloid production in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of the pharmaceutical formulation of any of claims 1-16. 23: A method for administering a CPHPC salt to a mammal in need thereof comprising administering to the mammal the pharmaceutical formulation of any of claims 1-16. 24: The method of any of claims 17-21, wherein the mammal is a human. 